Management and setup of enhanced MAC-e/es resources in cell-FACH state

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus are disclosed to manage the enhanced medium access control-e (MAC-e) and enhanced MAC-es resources and respective variables for the enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) in the enhanced Cell_FACH state. Due to the nature of the E-DCH transmission in the uplink (UL) in the Cell_FACH state and the fact that a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) might set up and release the E-DCH resources more frequently, methods to deal with the TSN numbering are described.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No60/982,528, filed Oct. 25, 2007 and U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No.61/018,567, filed Jan. 2, 2008 which are incorporated by reference as iffully set forth.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This application is related to wireless communications.

BACKGROUND

An enhanced uplink mechanism has been introduced for the ThirdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) standards. As a part of theenhanced uplink mechanism and improved Layer 2 (L2), new functionalentities have been introduced in the medium access control (MAC)including enhanced MAC-e/es entities. In a wireless transmit/receiveunit (WTRU), the enhanced MAC-e/es are considered one single sublayer.However in the network side the enhanced MAC-e and the enhanced MAC-esentities may be considered separate, with the enhanced MAC-e residing inthe Node-B and the enhanced MAC-es residing in the serving radio networkcontroller (SRNC). One enhanced MAC-e and one enhanced MAC-es entity arepresent for each WTRU in the Node B and in the SRNC, respectively. Theentities are separate in the network so that the more real-time criticalfunctionality of enhanced MAC-e may be placed into the Node-B.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an enhanced MAC entity 100 of a WTRU. Theenhanced MAC in the WTRU comprises a hybrid automatic repeat-request(HARQ) module, a multiplexing and transmission sequence number (TSN)setting module, an enhanced uplink transport format combination (E-TFC)selection module, and two segmentation modules.

The HARQ module performs the MAC functions relating to the HARQprotocol, including storing enhanced MAC-e payloads and re-transmittingthem. The HARQ module determines the E-TFC, the retransmission sequencenumber (RSN), and the power offset to be used by Layer 1 (L1).

The multiplexing and TSN module concatenates multiple MAC-d protocoldata units (PDUs) into enhanced MAC-es PDUs, and multiplexes one ormultiple enhanced MAC-es PDUs into a single enhanced MAC-e PDU, to betransmitted in a subsequent transmission time interval (TTI), asinstructed by the E-TFC selection module.

The E-TFC selection module performs E-TFC selection according toscheduling information, relative and absolute grants received from aUMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) via L1 signalling, and aserving grant signalled through the RRC for arbitration among thedifferent flows mapped on the E-DCH.

The segmentation module performs segmenting of the MAC-d PDUs.

FIGS. 2 and 2A show the enhanced MAC-e and enhanced MAC-es entitieslocated at the Node-B and RNCs, respectively. Referring to FIG. 2, theenhanced MAC-es sublayer manages E-DCH specific functionality. Theenhanced MAC-es entity comprises a disassembly module, a reordering andqueue distribution module, a reordering/combining module, and areassembly module.

The reordering queue distribution module routes the enhanced MAC-es PDUsto the correct reordering buffer based on the serving radio networkcontroller (SRNC) configuration and based on the logical channelidentity.

The reordering/combining module reorders received enhanced MAC-es PDUsaccording to the received TSN and Node-B tagging, (i.e. CFN, subframenumber). Enhanced MAC-es PDUs with consecutive TSNs are delivered to thedisassembly module upon reception.

The macro diversity selection module operates in the enhanced MAC-es, incase of soft handover with multiple Node-Bs.

The disassembly module is responsible for disassembly of enhanced MAC-esPDUs, including removal of the enhanced MAC-es header.

The reassembly function reassembles segmented MAC-d PDUs, and deliversthe MAC-d PDUs to the correct MAC-d entity.

Referring to FIG. 2A, shows a MAC-e entity in communication with anE-DCH scheduling module. The enhanced MAC-e entity comprises an E-DCHcontrol module, a de-multiplexing module, and a HARQ entity.

The E-DCH scheduling module manages E-DCH cell resources between WTRUs.Based on scheduling requests, scheduling grants are determined andtransmitted.

The E-DCH control module is responsible for reception of schedulingrequests and transmission of scheduling grants.

The de-multiplexing module performs the de-multiplexing of enhancedMAC-e PDUs into enhanced MAC-es PDUs. Enhanced MAC-es PDUs are forwardedto the SRNC in their associated MAC-d flow.

The HARQ module may support multiple HARQ processes. Each process isresponsible for generating ACKs or NACKs indicating delivery status ofE-DCH transmissions.

FIG. 3 shows the radio resource controller (RRC) service states of a3GPP WTRU with an enhanced uplink. The WTRU may operate in severalstates which depend on the user activity. The following states have beendefined: Idle, Cell_DCH, Cell_FACH, URA_PCH and Cell_PCH. The RRC statechanges are controlled by the network using RNC parameters, the WTRUdoes not decide to perform state changes by itself.

In the Cell_DCH state, a dedicated physical channel is allocated to theWTRU in the uplink and the downlink. The WTRU is known on a cell levelaccording to its current active set. The WTRU may use dedicatedtransport channels, shared transport channels, or a combination of thesetransport channels.

A WTRU is in the Cell_FACH state if it has been assigned to use thecommon control channels (e.g. CPCH). In the Cell_FACH state, nodedicated physical channel is allocated to the WTRU, and the WTRUcontinuously monitors a FACH (e.g., S-CCPCH) or a High Speed DownlinkShared Channel (HS-DSCH) in the downlink. The WTRU is assigned a defaultcommon or shared transport channel in the uplink (e.g. RACH) that it canuse anytime according to the access procedure for that transportchannel. The position of the WTRU is known by the UTRAN on a cell levelaccording to the cell where the WTRU last performed a cell update.

In the Cell_PCH state, no dedicated physical channel is allocated to theWTRU. The WTRU selects a PCH, and uses discontinuous reception formonitoring the selected PCH via an associated PICH. No uplink activityis possible. The position of the WTRU is known by the UTRAN on a celllevel according to the cell where the WTRU last performed a cell updatein the CELL_FACH state.

In the URA_PCH state, no dedicated channel is allocated to the WTRU. TheWTRU selects a PCH, and uses discontinuous reception for monitoring theselected PCH via an associated PICH. No uplink activity is possible. Thelocation of the WTRU is known on a UTRAN registration area levelaccording to the URA assigned to the WTRU during the last URA update inthe Cell_FACH state.

As a part of the enhanced uplink mechanism an, enhanced random accesschannel (E-RACH) has been introduced for the CELL_FACH state. The E-RACHrefers to the use of the enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) in theCell_FACH state or the resource/physical channel used by the WTRU foruplink contention-based access. Previously, the only uplink mechanismfor a WTRU in the Cell_FACH state was transmission via the RACH using aslotted-Aloha approach with an acquisition indication message.

With the introduction of the E-DCH in the Cell_FACH state, the WTRUs andthe network may require the introduction of enhanced MAC-e/es entitiesin order to enable the communication between the WTRU and the network.Due to the nature of the E-DCH operation in the Cell_FACH state, anumber of issues may arise with the E-DCH MAC resources. One of theissues relates to defining how and when to set up the enhanced MAC-e/esentities. In addition, rules regarding the location of the enhancedMAC-e/es entities and whether the enhanced MAC-e and/or enhanced MAC-esare common or dedicated entities are desired. Also, additional RNC toNode-B interface (Iub) signaling for the setup and management of the MACentities are desired. Accordingly methods to manage E-DCH resources andto manage TSN numbering are desired.

SUMMARY

Methods and apparatus are disclosed to manage the enhanced MAC-e andenhanced MAC-es resources and respective variables for the E-DCH in theenhanced Cell_FACH state. Due to the nature of the E-DCH transmission inthe uplink (UL) in the Cell_FACH state and the fact that the WTRU mightset up and release the E-DCH resources more frequently, methods tomanage the TSN numbering are described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more detailed understanding may be had from the following description,given by way of example in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a enhanced MAC-e/es entity of a WTRU;

FIGS. 2 and 2A are block diagrams of enhanced MAC-e/es entities of aNode-B and an RNC, respectively;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the RRC states in an HSPA+ system;

FIG. 4 shows an example wireless communication system including aplurality of wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs), a base station,and a radio network controller (RNC);

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a WTRU and the base station ofFIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method where the enhanced MAC-e andenhanced MAC-es entities are preconfigured as common entities for eachenhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) resource set that may be assigned tothe WTRU upon an E-RACH access procedure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

When referred to hereafter, the terminology “wireless transmit/receiveunit (WTRU)” includes but is not limited to a user equipment (UE), amobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a pager, a cellulartelephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computer, or any othertype of user device capable of operating in a wireless environment. Whenreferred to hereafter, the terminology “base station” includes but isnot limited to a Node-B, a site controller, an access point (AP), or anyother type of interfacing device capable of operating in a wirelessenvironment.

FIG. 4 shows a wireless communication system 400 including a pluralityof WTRUs 410, a Node-B 420, a CRNC 430, an SRNC 440 and a core network450. As shown in FIG. 4, the WTRUs 410 are in communication with theNode-B 420, which is in communication with the CRNC 430 and the SRNC440. Although three WTRUs 410, one Node-B 420, one CRNC 430, and oneSRNC 440 are shown in FIG. 4, it should be noted that any combination ofwireless and wired devices may be included in the wireless communicationsystem 400.

When refered to hereafter, the CRNC 430 and the SRNC 440 may becollectively referred to as the UTRAN.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram 500 of a WTRU 410 and the Node-B420 of the wireless communication system 400 of FIG. 4. As shown in FIG.5, the WTRU 410 is in communication with the Node-B 420 and both areconfigured to perform a method to manage and setup enhanced MAC-e/esresources in a Cell_FACH state.

In addition to the components that may be found in a typical WTRU, theWTRU 410 includes a processor 415, a receiver 416, a transmitter 417,and an antenna 418. The processor 415 is configured to perform a methodto manage and setup enhanced MAC-e/es resources in a Cell_FACH state.The receiver 416 and the transmitter 417 are in communication with theprocessor 415. The antenna 418 is in communication with both thereceiver 416 and the transmitter 417 to facilitate the transmission andreception of wireless data.

In addition to the components that may be found in a typical basestation, the Node-B 420 includes a processor 425, a receiver 426, atransmitter 427, and an antenna 428. The processor 425 is configured toperform a method to manage and setup enhanced MAC-e/es resources in aCell_FACH state. The receiver 426 and the transmitter 427 are incommunication with the processor 425. The antenna 428 is incommunication with both the receiver 426 and the transmitter 427 tofacilitate the transmission and reception of wireless data.

The WTRU 410 may be configured to transmit on the E-RACH to register theWTRU 410 to the network for an initial RRC connection request, cellselection, and reselection. The connection requests are transmitted overthe common control channel (CCCH). Once the WTRU is registered, the WTRUmay transmit Dedicated Traffic Channel (DTCH) or Dedicated ControlChannel (DCCH) traffic to the network. Wherein the DTCH is abi-directional channel that carriers user data and DCCH trafficcomprises dedicated control information between a WTRU and the UTRAN. Itis established through the RRC (Radio Resource Control) connection setupprocedure. However, when the WTRU 410 is transmitting an initial E-RACHaccess attempt, the enhanced MAC-e and enhanced MAC-es entities may ormay not be setup. Accordingly, several alternatives to configuring theenhanced MAC-e and enhanced MAC-es are described in greater detailherein.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the WTRU 410 may be configured with anenhanced MAC-e/es entity 419 when both the WTRU 410 and the networksupport the E-RACH, (i.e. capable of using the E-DCH in the CELL_DACHstate) and the HS-DSCH. Wherein the HS-DSCH is a downlink transportchannel shared by several WTRUs. The HS-DSCH is assoicated with onedownlink dedicated physical channel (DPCH) and one or several highspeedshared control channels (HS-SCCHs). The enhanced MAC-e/es entity 419 inthe WTRU 410 may include a HARQ module, a multiplexing and TSN module,an E-TFC selection module, segmentation modules, a module used to appendan E-RNTI, and a module used for CRC calculation for Common ControlChannel (CCCH) traffic. The CCCH supports common procedures required toestablish a dedicated link with the UTRAN. The CCCH may include the RACHand E-RACH, the forward access channel (FACH), and the paging channel(PCH). The enhanced MAC-e/es entity 419 may also include an access classcontrol module. The WTRU 410 may transition to the Cell_FACH state whenthere is uplink data to transmit, or it is already in the Cell_DCH stateand the network moves it to the Cell_FACH state for lack of activity,etc. The WTRU 410 may be configured to maintain the enhanced MAC-e/esentity as long as it is able to transmit uplink data on the E-DCH. TheWTRU 410 may further be configured to maintain the enhanced MAC-e/esentity when operating in idle mode when an RRC connection request isinitiated by the WTRU 410.

The Node-B 420 may be configured with x enhanced MAC-e entities(enhanced MAC-e₁ to enhanced MAC-e_(x)), where x is the number of commonE-DCH resources for all types of traffic. Each enhanced MAC-e entity mayinclude an E-DCH scheduling module, an E-DCH control module, ade-multiplexing module, and a HARQ module. The enhanced MAC-e entitiesmay also be configured to read the E-RNTI used for contentionresolution. The enhanced MAC-e entities may be configured to communicatewith WTRUs that have not been assigned a U-RNTI or E-RNTI, in which casethe WTRUs will communicate via the CCCH. Each enhanced MAC-e entity maybe associated to a common E-DCH resource that a WTRU acquires as part ofthe random access procedure. For example, the Node-B 420 may beconfigured to use an enhanced MAC-e entity while a WTRU is attempting anE-RACH access and/or after the WTRU has performed cellselection/reselection (i.e. DTCH/DCCH traffic). The enhanced MAC-eentities may be preconfigured in the Node-B 420 (i.e. setup when theE-DCH resource pool for the CELL_FACH state and idle-mode is provided tothe Node B) or it may be setup in response to a signal received from aWTRU or RNC. Alternatively, the Node-B 420 may be configured to setupand maintain one dedicated enhanced MAC-e entity for each WTRU, for aslong as the WTRU in a given state.

The CRNC 430 may be configured with y enhanced MAC-es entities (enhancedMAC-es₁ to enhanced MAC-es_(y)) used only for CCCH traffic, where y isthe number of common E-DCH resources in the cell. Each enhanced MAC-esentity is associated to a common E-DCH resource set that may be used bya WTRU. Each enhanced MAC-es entity may include a disassembly module, areordering and queue distribution module, a reordering module, amacro-diversity selection module, a reassembly module, and a CRC errorcorrection module. Each enhanced MAC-es entity may be used duringcommunications with a WTRU that has not been assigned a U-RNTI or E-RNTI(i.e. for CCCH traffic). The CCCH traffic may be terminated in the CRNC430 such that the CCCH data traffic is not forwarded to the SRNC 440.Alternatively, the CRNC 430 may be configured to setup one dedicatedenhanced MAC-es entity for each WTRU, for as long as the WTRU in a givenstate.

The SRNC 440 is configured with z enhanced MAC-es entities (enhancedMAC-es₁ to enhanced MAC-es_(z)) for the DTCH/DCCH traffic, wherein z isthe number of WTRUs in the Cell_FACH state. Each of the z enhancedMAC-es entities may be associated with the WTRU 410 after its WTRU-id isdetermined. Each enhanced MAC-es entity may comprise a disassemblymodule, a reordering and queue distribution module, a reordering module,a macro-diversity selection module, and a reassembly module. The SRNC440 may be configured to setup the enhanced MAC-es entity in response tothe WTRU entering the Cell_FACH state. The DTCH/DCCH traffic terminatesin the SRNC 440.

Alternatively, the Node-B 420 and the CRNC 430 may be configured tomaintain one dedicated enhanced MAC-e and MAC-es entity, respectively,for each WTRU as long as the WTRU is in the Cell_FACH state, independentof the E-DCH resources.

Alternatively, the Node-B 420 and the CRNC 430 may be configured tosetup enhanced MAC-e and enhanced MAC-es entities after the Node-B 420assigns and transmits an E-DCH radio network temporary identifier(E-RNTI) for the WTRU 410.

In some scenarios, the SRNC 440 may not know the WTRU's 410 identityuntil the first transmission of the WTRU 410, which is after receptionof the acquisition indicator channel (AICH) or the E-AICH. In such acase, the SRNC 440 may be configured to setup the enhanced MAC-es forthe WTRU 410 at the time the WTRU-ID is read from the header.Accordingly, a new Iub signaling procedure may be required to indicateto the SRNC 440 to setup the enhanced MAC-es entity for a given WTRU.

When common enhanced MAC-e and/or enhanced MAC-es resources are setupfor a given connection, they may be setup as part of the commontransport channel setup procedure between an RNC and the Node-B 420.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method where the CRNC 430 pre-configuresand stores a common enhanced MAC-es entity and the Node-B 420pre-configures and stores a common enhanced MAC-e entity for eachenhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) resource set that may be assigned toa WTRU upon an E-RACH access procedure. Referring to FIG. 6, the CRNCdetermines an E-DCH resource set and signals the Node-B (610). The CRNCand Node-B pre-configure and store common enhanced MAC-es and enhancedMAC-e entities, respectively, for each E-DCH resource set available(620). A WTRU performs a random access procedure obtains an E-DCHresource set (630). An RRC connection request message is received from aWTRU in Idle Mode using the E-DCH set that is obtained using the randomaccess procedure (640). The Node-B allocates an E-RNTI and an enhancedMAC-es entity is setup in the SRNC for the WTRU (650).

Since the CRNC's enhanced MAC-es and the Node-B's enhanced MAC-eentities are preconfigured for the E-DCH resource set, the enhancedMAC-e and enhanced MAC-es for the CCCH may be configured to operate ascommon entities that are associated with one WTRU at a time (i.e. forthe WTRU that received the E-RACH access). In one option, the commonenhanced MAC-e and MAC-es entities may be used for only the WTRU'sinitial traffic. Alternatively the enhanced MAC entities may be usedthroughout the time the WTRU is communicating via the E-DCH resource setcorresponding to that enhanced MAC entity. An RRC connection setupcomplete message may then be received indicating that the WTRU is inconnected mode (660).

The enhanced MAC-es entity in the CRNC may be associated to a commonE-DCH resource set used by the WTRU 410, or a common E-RNTI that isselected by the WTRU 410. The SRNC 440 may be configured to setup adedicated enhanced MAC-es entity for each WTRU operating in theCell_FACH state which is registered and has an E-RNTI allocated, and theentity may be maintained at least for the duration of the WTRU being inthe Cell_FACH/CELL_PCH state for DTCH/DCCH traffic. For DTCH/DCCHtraffic, the data is first received in the common enhanced MAC-e entityassociated to the common E-DCH resource being used by the UE and thenforwarded to the dedicated enhanced MAC-es entity in the SRNC over theIub/Iur interface. Accordingly, when the enhanced MAC-e is a commonentity for any WTRU using the set of resources, a process to identifythe WTRU-ID over the Iub/Iur frame protocol may be desired. Severalalternatives are described in greater detail hereafter.

In a first alternative, the Node-B 420 may be configured to transmitdata on a common transport channel (for WTRUs using the E-DCH in theCell_FACH state) using an Iub flow. Because the Iub is a common flow,the CRNC 430 may receive data from this common flow per WTRU and doesnot know to which WTRU this data belongs. Therefore, the Node-B 420 maybe configured to transmit a WTRU-ID in the header field of the Iub framewhen the enhanced MAC-es is associated with a particular WTRU in theCell_FACH state (i.e. for DTCH/DCCH traffic). Similarly the CRNC 430 maybe configured to transmit a WTRU-ID in the header of an Iur frame. TheWTRU-id may comprise an E-RNTI when transmitted via the Iub interface oran S-RNTI when transmitted via the Iur interface. This would allow theSRNC 440 to know proper forwarding address of the data to the correctdedicated enhanced MAC-es entity for the WTRU.

In another alternative, the WTRU-id may comprise one or a combination ofthe E-RNTI, the U-RNTI, or C-RNTI, or the S-RNTI. For CCCH traffic, noWTRU-id is present and thus the Iub frame protocol shall not include anE-RNTI. The CRNC 430 may be configured to detect that the trafficbelongs to CCCH traffic from the logical channel identifier and forwardthe data to the correct enhanced MAC-es entity in the CRNC 430 that isassociated to the proper E-DCH resource. In an optional embodiment,there may be one common transport channel for DTCH/DCCH traffic, and onetransport channel setup for each E-DCH resource set for CCCH traffic.The Node-B 420 may be configured to receive the CCCH traffic and toforward the data to the transport channel associated with the enhancedMAC-e entity in which the data was received.

In another alternative, when both the Node-B 420 and the CRNC 430 areconfigured to setup the common enhanced MAC-e and enhanced MAC-esentities, the WTRU 410 may be configured to transmit a WTRU-id in anenhanced MAC-es header of an enhanced MAC-es PDU. The Node-B 420 may befurther configured with a disassembly module capable of to decoding theenhanced MAC-es PDU header and determining the WTRU-id. By transmittingthe information in the enhanced MAC-es PDU, the Node-B 420 does not needto transmit an Iub frame with the WTRU-id information. For example, theWTRU 410 may be configured to transmit the WTRU-id in the enhancedMAC-es header only during the initial transmissions for contentionresolution purposes. In this case, the Node-B 420 may be configured withan enhanced MAC-e entity that uses the initial transmission to determineforwarding procedures for consecutive data on subsequent transmissionsto the RNC. The WTRU 410 may transmit the WTRU-id until it receives anabsolute grant of the E-DCH channel, at which point the WTRU 410 canstop transmitting the WTRU-id.

In another alternative, the Node-B 420 may be configured to receive aWTRU-id from a WTRU, and to extract the WTRU-id from the firsttransmission. The Node-B 420 may then store the WTRU-id and use thisinformation to transmit the WTRU-id to the SRNC 440 or CRNC 430 usingIub signaling during subsequent transmissions. When the WTRU 410releases the set of E-DCH resources the Node-B 420 may be configured toerase the WTRU-id. Alternatively, if a subsequent E-RACH access attemptis performed and a different WTRU-id is decoded, the Node-B 420 maychange the stored WTRU-id information to reflect the new WTRU-id.

In yet another alternative, after a Node-B 420 receives a firsttransmission from a WTRU, the Node-B 420 may use the first transmissionto determine to which WTRU the data belongs. Once the WTRU-id isdetermined, the Node-B 420 may setup a semi-dedicated flow to the RNCfor the duration of the WTRU's connection to the E-DCH resources. Thiscreates a temporary connection flow between the common enhanced MAC-eand the dedicated enhanced MAC-es. This may be setup by transmitting anIub signal notifying the RNC to initiate the setup a flow between thecommon enhanced MAC-e and enhanced MAC-es entity corresponding to theWTRU. In this case, the WTRU-id does not have to be specified in the Iubframe protocol because the WTRU-id is present in the enhanced MAC-eheader of every transmission and the information is forwarded to the RNCvia the Iu frame protocol.

Alternatively, because the E-DCH resources may be negotiated between theNode-B 420 and the WTRU without the involvement of the RNC, thefunctionalities related to the E-DCH, such as enhanced MAC-es, may bemoved to the Node-B 420. For this embodiment, the logical channel flowsmay be setup between the enhanced MAC-es and the radio link control(RLC) entities. Alternatively, the WTRU 410 and the Node-B 420 mayestablish a common transport channel and the WTRU-id and a linearizationchannel (LCH)-ID may be transmitted over the Iub and/or Iur frameprotocol.

Although features and elements are described above in particularcombinations, each feature or element can be used alone without theother features and elements or in various combinations with or withoutother features and elements. The methods or flow charts provided hereinmay be implemented in a computer program, software, or firmwareincorporated in a computer-readable storage medium for execution by ageneral purpose computer or a processor. Examples of computer-readablestorage mediums include a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory(RAM), a register, cache memory, semiconductor memory devices, magneticmedia such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-opticalmedia, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks, and digital versatiledisks (DVDs).

Suitable processors include, by way of example, a general purposeprocessor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, adigital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, amicrocontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) circuits, any other type of integratedcircuit (IC), and/or a state machine.

A processor in association with software may be used to implement aradio frequency transceiver for use in a wireless transmit receive unit(WTRU), user equipment (UE), terminal, base station, radio networkcontroller (RNC), or any host computer. The WTRU may be used inconjunction with modules, implemented in hardware and/or software, suchas a camera, a video camera module, a videophone, a speakerphone, avibration device, a speaker, a microphone, a television transceiver, ahands free headset, a keyboard, a Bluetooth® module, a frequencymodulated (FM) radio unit, a liquid crystal display (LCD) display unit,an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display unit, a digital musicplayer, a media player, a video game player module, an Internet browser,and/or any wireless local area network (WLAN) or Ultra Wide Band (UWB)module.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method implemented by a radio networkcontroller (RNC) of managing medium access control (MAC) resources, themethod comprising: configuring an enhanced MAC entity for each of one ormore common enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) resources, wherein eachof the one or more common E-DCH resources is used for communicationswith at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) that uses commonE-DCH for common control channel (CCCH) transmission in at least one ofa cell forward access channel (CELL_FACH) state or an idle mode; andsending one or more signals to a Node-B identifying the one or morecommon E-DCH resources, the one or more signals indicating to the Node-Bto configure an enhanced MAC entity in the Node-B for each of theidentified common E-DCH resources.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinCCCH traffic is terminated in a controlling RNC (CRNC) withoutforwarding to a serving radio network controller (SRNC).
 3. The methodof claim 1, further comprising, for at least one WTRU that use commonE-DCH in CELL_FACH state, configuring an enhanced MAC entity in aserving radio network control (SRNC) for dedicated traffic control(DTCH) or dedicated control channel (DCCH) transmissions.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the enhanced MAC entity in the RNC and the enhancedMAC entity in the Node-B perform as common entities that are associatedwith one WTRU at a time.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhancedMAC entity in the RNC is configured for a common channel and isterminated in a controlling RNC (CRNC).
 6. An apparatus, comprising: aprocessor configured to configure an enhanced medium access control(MAC) entity for each of one or more common enhanced dedicated channel(E-DCH) resources, wherein each of the one or more common E-DCHresources is used for communications with at least one wirelesstransmit/receive unit (WTRU) that uses common E-DCH for common controlchannel (CCCH) transmission in at least one of a cell forward accesschannel (CELL_(—) FACH) state or an idle mode; and a transmitterconfigured to transmit one or more signals to a Node-B identifying theone or more common E-DCH resources, the one or more signals indicatingto the Node-B to configure an enhanced MAC entity in the Node-B for eachof the identified common E-DCH resources.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6,wherein CCCH traffic is terminated in a controlling radio nodecontroller (CRNC) without forwarding to a serving radio networkcontroller (SRNC).
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising, forat least one WTRU that use common E-DCH in CELL_FACH state, theprocessor configured to configure an enhanced MAC entity in a servingradio network control (SRNC) for dedicated traffic control (DTCH) ordedicated control channel (DCCH) transmissions.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein the enhanced MAC entity in a radio network controller(RNC) and the enhanced MAC entity in the Node-B perform as commonentities that are associated with one WTRU at a time.
 10. The apparatusof claim 6, wherein the enhanced MAC entity in a radio networkcontroller (RNC) is configured for a common channel and is terminated ina controlling RNC (CRNC).
 11. An apparatus, comprising: a processorconfigured to implement an enhanced medium access control (MAC) entityfor each common enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) resource of one ormore common E-DCH resources, wherein each common E-DCH resource of theone or more common E-DCH resources is available for communicationsbetween a Node-B and at least one of a plurality of wirelesstransmit/receive units (WTRUs) that use common E-DCH for common controlchannel (CCCH) transmission in at least one of a cell forward accesschannel (CELL_FACH) state or an idle mode; and a transmitter configuredto indicate, via one or more signals, to the Node-B to configure anenhanced MAC entity per common E-DCH resource.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein CCCH traffic is terminated in a controlling radio nodecontroller (CRNC) without forwarding to a serving radio networkcontroller (SRNC).
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising,for the at least one of the plurality of WTRUs that use common E-DCH inthe CELL_FACH state, the processor configured to configure an enhancedMAC entity in a serving radio network control (SRNC) for dedicatedtraffic control (DTCH) or dedicated control channel (DCCH)transmissions.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the enhanced MACentity in a radio network controller (RNC) and the enhanced MAC entityin the Node-B perform as common entities that are associated with oneWTRU at a time.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the enhanced MACentity in a radio network controller (RNC) is configured for a commonchannel and is terminated in a controlling RNC (CRNC).